SCOUTING PROFILE: From the moment Cole rejected a first-round offer from the New York Yankees out of a California high school in 2008, he was installed as the top prospect in the Draft Class of 2011. He has been under a microscope in three seasons as the Friday starter for UCLA, and largely has lived up to expectations—even as he has often been outpitched the last two years by his less-heralded Bruins teammate Trevor Bauer, who is on his way to leading the nation in strikeouts for a second straight season. Cole has the most electric stuff in college baseball with a fastball that routinely sits in the mid-90s, will top out in triple digits on occasion and has tons of late life and movement. He complements his fastball with a high-80s slider that also has exceptional life and movement, and ranks among the best off-speed pitches in the amateur ranks. His changeup has developed this spring into a dominant third pitch. His extended mid three-quarters release point is a bit lower than standard, yet helps add to his fastball life. Cole’s clean delivery, aggressive makeup and more-mature approach to pitching this spring have only served to round out his package. He had an outstanding sophomore season at UCLA, going 11-4, 3.37 with 153 strikeouts in 123 innings, and was dominant for a second summer with USA Baseball’s college national team (2-0, 0.72, 25 IP, 4 BB/25 SO). Though he has posted a more-modest 4-4, 2.78 record with 76 strikeouts in 71 innings this spring (Bauer, by comparison, is 8-1, 1.42 with 127 strikeouts in 83 innings), Cole is still heavily favored to be the first college pitcher drafted in June. He may no longer be a slam dunk to go first or second overall, however, as he has not been as consistently dominant midway through the 2011 season as he was early, when he threw six perfect innings in consecutive starts. Scouts saw a little more effort in his delivery and noted that his command wasn’t as sharp. His stuff also flattened out a bit. In the end, he’ll still be a prominent factor in the draft with the only remaining suspense, in all likelihood, being whether Pittsburgh drafts him with the No. 1 pick or Seattle takes him at No. 2.
Projected Draft Position: First round / top 3 picks.
--ALLAN SIMPSON

Gerrit Cole is a 2008 RHP with a 6'3'', 190 lb. frame from Santa Ana, CA who attends Orange Lutheran HS. He has a present strong build with broad shoulders and some projection. Cole has electric stuff and throws with minimal effort and a simple delivery. His fastball was consistently 94-96 mph and had very late, hard boring life at times. Cole's slider was 81 mph with good bite and plenty of depth and he showed nice feel for a change up, unsual for a young power pitcher. The most impressive thing about Cole, aside from how easily he throws high velocity fastballs, is that he shows a mean streak on the mound and attacks hitters with an aggressive purpose. He has the chance to be a very high draft pick next June should he maintain the stuff and approach he showed in Cincinnati. Cole has committed to UCLA. Selected to 2007 Aflac All-American team.

Gerrit Cole is a 2008 RHP with a 6'3'', 190 lb. frame from Santa Ana, CA, who attends Orange Lutheran HS. Named to the Top Prospect Team. Cole has a tall frame with long legs. There is present strength in his body, yet he is still going to get bigger and stronger. He is the type of pitcher that right handed hitters do not want to face. He gets great run on his fastball that can get up to 95 mph, and he runs it in on the hands of right handed hitters. If they settle in and look for the fastball, then Cole can drop a change-up with great tumble and sink and 79-80 mph that is unfair at times. He has an easy and quick arm with a balanced delivery. He pumps the zone with strikes, and he pitches with a purpose. He shows pitchability and isn't just trying to throw as hard as he can. Cole has three potential plus ML pitches making him one of the top pitchers in the nation.